Combined clock-winding and gas-cock mechanism



G. PFGANST ER. Combined-Clock Winding and Gas 000k Mechanism No. 234,557. Patented Nov. 16, I880.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

GEORGE P. GANSTER, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,557,

dated November 16, 1880,

Application filed January 30, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. GANSTER, of Reading, Berks county, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new, useful, and important Improvements in Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

The improvement relates to the means of winding, and to the combination, with the clock, of proper gas connections and cook, and a gas-burner, so as to attain highly advantageous results.

The turning of the gas-cock to let on the gas and to shut it off winds the clock. The parts are so proportioned and adjusted that once turning on and off will wind the clock for a day and more. I provide a slip-connecnection to avoid overwinding. The gas-burner is in close proximity to the clock-face, so that a very little gas shows the face of the clock distinctly. I provide a movable shield, which in one position allows the gas-light to shine out freely and illumine the apartment, and in another position shades the room from the light, but allows it to fall strongly on the clockface, which remains exposed. In what I esteem the best arrangement the inner face of the shield is a reflector and increases the light thrown into the room or onto the clock-face by that fact.

The accompanying drawings form a part of thls specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a face view of the device as worked without the reflector. A portion of the front plate is broken away to exhibit the interior. Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing the device in its complete form with the reflector. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, with the reflector turned to illumine the apartment generally. This is the condition for wakeful hours. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with the reflector turned to illumine the face of the clock and to shade the eyes of the sleeper. This is the condition for the midnight hours. Fig. 4 shows a modified form of the casing and gas-burner.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the figures.

A is a fixed casing, which may be either of the plain form shown or of any tasty or highly ornamental form. B is a gas-pipe leading from the ordinary gas-connections, and controlled, if desired, by any ordinary cock, (not shown;) but which, to render this invention of service, should stand constantly open.

0 is a cock within the case A. It controls the flow of gas from the connection to the burner, and also at each turning, either to let on or off the gas, winds the clock mechanism M, connected by means of the gearing M. I introduce a slip-coupling or frictional contact at the junction of the mainspring with the barrel to avoid overwinding, and may, if required in any case, shut off the gas and let it on as many times as it is required to observe the time, lighting the gas each time; but I propose ordinarily that the light shall be strong during the evening, and then not turned off but only turned down low and kept on continuously all night.

The face of the clock is marked m, and is conspicuously presented. The gas flowing up through the casing A in the pipe B passes the cock 0 when open, and thence flows up through the short pipe B ending with a burner, D, which may be of any ordinary or suitable kind, which shall present a smooth round portion on which to turn the shade G. This shade, embracing the round part of the burner by a clasp, g, on the arm g, is made opaque to stop the light, and polished or whitened to reflect it. When turned to the position behind the burner it is of no effect as a shade, assuming the clock to be on a mantel, or in some analogous position near the wall of the room; but its reflective inside aids to illumine the room. When turned in the position in front (shown in Fig. 3) the shield shades the eyes of the occupants of the room, and its reflective inside face concentrates light upon the clock-face. A slight flow of gas will serve all night to show the clock-face and the time. In the morning it should be shut off; but if allowed to flow all day by any oversight the consumption of gas will be slight. A ratchet, G, and pawl D prevent the cock being rotated except in one direction. be turned up except by first turning it off, and then a further turning in the same direction to let it on. This insures that each day shall require one full half-revolution at least of the cock 0. The force of the mainspring and the If the gas is turned low it cannot gearing to the clock mechanism M is so proportioned that this will keep the clock fully wound.

I propose, for ordinary cases, to have the clock-face m of small size, and the clock mechanism M of little force. Ordinary watch mechanism may suffice.

Modifications may be made in the details without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of theinvention. I can make the winding-handle still less protruding, so as to less shade the clock-face, or I can extend the cock-shaft out at the back instead of the front of the device, and thus have the handle out of the way.

Fig. 4. is an outline of a modification in the form to impart a more ornamental character. Here the forefinger of the bronze hand serves as apipe, tak-ing the place of the pipe B The burner above being round allows the shade to be turned, as in the plainer form.

My clock exerts no influence on the cock, except to interpose its slight additional resistance in the winding. It does not close the cock at a set time. It is for an entirely ordinary purpose, to show the time perpetually without imposing any necessity for attention to the winding.

I claim as my invention The combination of a gas-cock turning on and off by a movement in the same direction with a clock connected as described, so that the partial turning of the gas-cock to let on and off the gas will wind the clock, as herein specified.-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of January, 1880, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. GEO. P. GANSTER.

Witnesses THOMAS D. STET-soN, CHARLES O. STETsoN. 

